San Juan de Oriente Library

San Juan de Oriente is known for its ceramics. 85% of the work done here is by artisans creating almost anything you can think of out of clay. It is a small village where not even a restaurant is found. It is a place where small children pass the afternoon flying a kite in the middle of the street; a village so peaceful you can’t help but enjoy your time here. The people that live here, however, know they need to improve their village...it’s just a matter of how.

A community goal...

One of the main concerns of the community is the level of education available to local students. While preschools and primary level schools are found in San Juan de Oriente there is yet to be established a high school; forcing older students to travel to nearby towns for an upper level education. The community hopes to build a high school in the near future. This will not only enhance the education in San Juan de Oriente, but will create more sources of employment for the community as well.

How the library can help achieve this goal...

It is evident by just entering the library that it is geared towards learning; the walls are covered with charts and educational information. The desire to learn is evident by the children and adults waiting outside the doors for the Library to open. The Library staff is eager to help anyone needing assistance. The Library can help enhance the level of education by offering a wider variety of resources to the community. This will make learning more accessible, especially to high school students, but also to the rest of the community.

How you can assist in achieving this goal...

The city of San Juan de Oriente does not even have money to pay the librarians, and no money to acquire new resources. By partnering with the community of San Juan de Oriente a higher level of education can be offered to children, youth, and adults. Resources you can assist in achieving are:

Internet

Books for all ages

Textbooks

TV and DVD player

Educational videos for all ages

Long term impact...

Equipping a library with resources to educate the community impacts generations to come. Being educated not only makes one employable but it also makes a person more aware of the world around them. It improves ones ability to think critically and to evaluate how they can contribute positively to their environment... teaching others along the way from what they have learned.

 An educated youth becomes a parent that educates their child

and from generation to generation a higher level of education evolves.